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Those of us who've had homes hit by hail know that the damage can range from minor to completely devastating — and having to repair a roof or windows can put a major dent in your wallet. Read on to get more info on how homeowners insurance could help cover hail damage.

how much damage can hail cause anyway?

The largest recorded hailstone in U.S. history fell in South Dakota in 2010, and was a whopping 8 inches in diameter, weighing nearly 2 pounds. But it doesn't take catastrophically large hailstones to cause major property damage, as many of us unfortunately know.

In 2014, property damage expenses resulting from hail amounted to more than the expenses from lightning, tornadoes, and windstorms combined — at over $1.4 billion.

From roof damage to broken glass and more, it's important to financially protect yourself against common perils many homeowners face from the effects of a hailstorm.

home insurance and hail damage: am i covered?

Your homeowners insurance policy could financially protect you against a number of incidents including hail damage to your house.

Dwelling protection coverage will typically kick in to help pay for repair bills (up to the limits you've chosen for your policy) if hailstones cause damage to your home's structure — like the roof or windows, or attached structures like a garage or deck. Homeowners insurance from Esurance also offers up to $500 for the removal of tree debris if your foliage falls and damages covered property as a direct result of being hit by hail, lightning, or a windstorm.

It's key to note that cosmetic damage that does not affect the functionality or integrity of the home's structure likely isn't covered by most insurers.

And depending on your policy, there may be a separate deductible for hail- and wind-related claims when it comes to roof damage, so it's important to check in with your insurance company to see what you're covered for and what your deductible may (or may not) be. If you're already an Esurance customer, always feel free to give us a call at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262). Our licensed agents are here to help 24/7.

act quickly: checking for (and repairing) hail damage

What might have seemed like a relatively minor hailstorm may have done more damage than you think. That's why it's imperative to inspect the parts of your home that you can safely access — like the attic, your yard, and your house's exterior walls, for example.

It's always best (and safest) to inspect your roof as soon as possible after a hailstorm to help prevent a whole host of mishaps that could result from hail damage to your house — like mold, fungus, water damage, and even structural decay (not to mention denied insurance claims further down the road).

Preventing hail damage

Though there's no way to stop Mother Nature from doing her thing, you can keep your house — namely, your roof — well-maintained to help ensure she doesn't wreak havoc. Newer roofs generally stand up better to hail damage, as do roofs made with impact-resistant materials (and your insurer will often offer higher coverage limits to homeowners with these kinds of roofs).

And of course, the best way to prevent damage to your bank account is to secure financial protection in the form of reliable homeowners insurance.

Make sure to get a quick, free homeowners insurance quote online to see all the perks we have to offer our customers — including a wide range of helpful coverage options, a ton of money-saving discounts, and innovative online tools and tech to make the insurance process simple and transparent.

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Homeowners insurance policies underwritten by Esurance are available only in certain states. Coverage and discount availability may vary by state and/or individual risk situation.

Homeowners insurance quotes, in states where Esurance homeowners insurance is not available, are provided by Answer Financial, Inc or Security First Insurance Company for FL residents. Homeowners insurance claims are processed and paid by the underwriting company. Esurance does not underwrite, provide customer service, or pay claims for any homeowners policies sold by Answer Financial or Security First Insurance Company.

This page provides a summary of typical coverages and is not meant to describe actual coverage under any individual homeowners insurance policy. Coverage for certain categories of property, like jewelry and electronics, may require that such items be specifically scheduled and subject to additional premium. Coverages, discounts, and billing options are subject to state availability, individual qualification, and/or the insuring company's underwriting guidelines. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions will apply. Rates are subject to change.